Face presentation is a malpresentation of the fetus. It occurs when the baby’s face presents first through the birth canal.

Transcript: Face Presentation

Fetal descent is impacted by the maternal pelvis. The maternal pelvis is a bony structure, and it forces the baby to make several movements in order for it to fit through and to delivery vaginally safely.

With the face presentation, the baby’s face is the presenting part that’s coming first through the birth canal. This baby in this scenario is not going to deliver vaginally. Where the problems occur is when there is a failure or a delayed recognition of this presentation. A baby that’s in this presentation may be exposed to a prolonged labor and excessive contractions. This puts that baby at risk for hypoxia.